2014 Kia Sorento gets Spiderman-like transformation

The mid-cycle refresh for the 2014 Kia Sorento is very subtle on the outside, but underneath you'll see all sorts of improvements, from the optional V6 to the stronger chassis. OK, you might not see that last one.
Photo Credit: Kia

How new the 2014 Kia Sorento really is depends on how you look at it, or more correctly, where you look at it.

Kia's current design renaissance encompasses the street-wise Soul and Sportage wagons as well as the Optima and Rio sedans. You can also place the current-generation Sorento that was launched for 2011 on that list. The lines are so right on the money in terms of contemporary style and carrying capacity that there was obviously no point in monkeying around with the mid-sized wagon's looks.

Surprisingly, however, just about every other part of the Sorento's DNA has been altered, redesigned, or otherwise enhanced, kind of like when Peter Parker was bitten by the spider to become Spiderman. Same kid on the outside, but better reflexes and more power.

For 2014, Kia has mounted the Sorento on a platform that's identical to that of parent Hyundai's Santa Fe Sport. Kia claims the new structure is 18 percent stiffer than the 2013 version; attached to that is a stouter sub-frame that holds the powertrain more firmly.

There's also a new independent front suspension, while a more compact rear suspension aids interior space and restricts noise and vibrations from entering the cabin.

The Sorento's hydraulic power-steering system has been exchanged for a more efficient electric unit that features Comfort, Normal and Sport settings, depending on your desired level of steering firmness.

Kia's design team also took care of business on the inside, installing a new instrument panel and center control stack with easier-to-find buttons and knobs.

As before, Sorento can accommodate up to seven passengers with the optional third-row seat, but there's precious little legroom in back and equally scarce stowage room when loaded to the max with passengers. There is a solution if a more comfy back row is a must, but it requires visiting your Hyundai dealer to scope out the extended-wheelbase version of the Santa Fe.

Big changes are also to be discovered in the engine bay. The 175-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder powerplant that was standard for 2013 has been dropped, and the previously optional 191-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder with direct injection (fuel is sprayed under very high pressure directly into the combustion chambers instead of the intake manifold) now assumes base-engine duties.

Added performance is at hand with the available 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 (also direct-injected) that delivers 18 more ponies than the outgoing 3.5-liter V6.

The four-cylinder's six-speed manual transmission has been deleted, leaving only a six-speed automatic with manual shift controls.

As before, you can order your four-cylinder or V6 Sorento in front- or all-wheel drive. The latter is a full-time system that constantly varies the torque to all four wheels and can direct power to the outer wheels in high-speed turning situations for added control (known as torque vectoring).

Interestingly, estimated four-cylinder fuel economy is 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway (two-wheel-drive), which is close to the V6's 18/25 rating. That points to the extra work the four-cylinder has to do to lug the Sorento around, which might make you wonder what the point is.

Clearly, the four-cylinder enters the market at a more favorable pricepoint.

The 2014 Sorento starts at just under $25,000, which is a price jump commensurate with the increase in power, content and that one great intangible, class.

Along with the existing LX, EX and SX/SX-L trims, Kia has added a new SX Limited model that does its luxury best to coddle passengers with a wood-trimmed interior with ventilated soft leather-covered seats on the inside, while self-leveling headlights and exclusive 19-inch wheels (17- and 18-inch wheels adorn lower trims) are installed outside.

As for options, the tricks up the Sorento's sleeve include a power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, advanced voice-activated communications, infotainment and navigation controls (incorporating an eight-inch touch-screen) and a blind-spot monitoring system that constantly tracks vehicles in the immediate vicinity and issues an audible and visual alert should any get too close.